Scaffolding plank

ABSTRACT

A scaffolding plank includes a frame, a plank secured atop the frame, and hook members secured to the frame at a respective corner thereof. The frame includes a first longitudinal support, a second longitudinal support, and a third longitudinal support disposed between the first longitudinal support and the second longitudinal support. The frame further includes a first end support secured at first ends of the first, second, and third longitudinal supports and a second end support secured at second ends of the first, second, and third longitudinal supports. The frame still further includes a first center support secured between the first and third longitudinal supports offset from the midpoint of the frame and a second center support secured between the second and third longitudinal supports offset from the midpoint of the frame. The first, second, and third, longitudinal supports; the first and second center supports; and the first and second end supports may be steel manufactured in a c-channel configuration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to scaffolding planks and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to scaffolding planks constructed from steel and designed to be easily carried.

2. Description of the Related Art

Scaffolding planks typically comprise an aluminum frame with wood planks secured thereto or, in the alternative, the scaffolding planks are made completely from aluminum. Aluminum frame scaffolding planks have an I-beam construction, while all aluminum scaffolding planks are formed from one piece. The current examples of scaffolding planks provide several advantages such as simplicity and versatility, allowing end users to adapt to any job site. However, current scaffolding planks suffer two distinct disadvantages; they are expensive due to the cost of aluminum, and, because of their design, they are cumbersome to carry.

Accordingly, a scaffolding plank made of steel would accomplish the same purpose as aluminum scaffolding planks, but at a reduced cost to the end user. Moreover, a scaffolding plank designed for carry by one person would improve usability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a scaffolding plank includes a frame, a plank secured atop the frame, and hook members secured to the frame at a respective corner thereof. The frame includes a first longitudinal support, a second longitudinal support, and a third longitudinal support disposed between the first longitudinal support and the second longitudinal support. The frame further includes a first end support secured at first ends of the first, second, and third longitudinal supports and a second end support secured at second ends of the first, second, and third longitudinal supports. The frame still further includes a first center support secured between the first and third longitudinal supports offset from the midpoint of the frame and a second center support secured between the second and third longitudinal supports offset from the midpoint of the frame.

The present invention seeks reduced manufacturing costs through the use of steel to construct the frame. Consequently, the first, second, and third, longitudinal supports; the first and second center supports; and the first and second end supports are steel manufactured in a c-channel configuration. The use of c-channel shaped steel in the present invention makes the frame lightweight while still providing sufficient strength thereto.

In addition the present invention seeks to provide a scaffolding plank that may be carried by one person. To that effect, the first and second center supports are offset from the center of the frame such that the first and second center supports perform as counterweights that balance the scaffolding plank and allow one person to carry the scaffolding plank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a scaffolding plank according to the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustrating the scaffolding plank

FIG. 3 is top plan view illustrating the scaffolding plank.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components or steps.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings, there is shown a scaffolding plank 10, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which includes a frame 11, a plank 50, and hook members 51-54.

The frame 11 provides the strength and support for the scaffolding plank 10 as well as a mounting point for the plank 50 and the hook members 51-54. The frame 11 includes three c-channel longitudinal supports 12, 13, and 14, two c-channel center supports 15 and 16, and two c-channel end supports 17 and 18. It should be noted that the length and width of the frame 11 may be varied in order to meet a particular job requirement. Moreover, the c-channel design of the supports reduces the amount of material needed for the supports, thereby reducing weight and manufacturing costs. As a result, in the preferred embodiment, the c-channel supports are comprised of steel, which provides a cost-effective material that still meets the necessary strength requirements for the scaffolding plank 10.

Construction of a completed frame 11 includes placement of the c-channel longitudinal supports 12, 13, and 14, side by side at equidistant intervals. The c-channel longitudinal supports 12 and 14 are laid down with their c-channels facing inward. The c-channel longitudinal support 13 is positioned substantially half-way between the c-channel longitudinal supports 12 and 14. The c-channel end supports 17 and 18 are placed at the ends of the c-channel longitudinal supports 12-14. The c-channel center support 15 is placed between the c-channel longitudinal supports 12 and 13, and the c-channel center support 16 is placed between the c-channel longitudinal supports 13 and 14. The c-channel center supports 15 and 16 are not located at the midpoint of the frame 11, but rather are off-set from the midpoint of the frame 11, the benefits of this design will be discussed in greater detail below. Once arranged in desired positions, the c-channel longitudinal supports 12-14, the c-channel center supports 15 and 16, and the c-channel end supports 17 and 18 are coupled together using any means common in the art such as welding.

The frame 11 further includes protective flanges 21 and 22 placed on top of the c-channel longitudinal supports 12 and 14. In the preferred embodiment, the protective flanges 21 and 22 are L-shaped, with a horizontal member and vertical member. The protective flanges 21 and 22 are secured to the c-channel longitudinal supports 12 and 14 with their vertical members located at the outer edges of the c-channel longitudinal supports 12 and 14, thereby allowing the wood plank 50 to fit between the vertical members. The protective flanges 21 and 22 are secured to the c-channel longitudinal supports 12 and 14 using any means common in the art such as welding.

The plank 50 resides on the frame 11 over the c-channel longitudinal supports 12-14, the c-channel center supports 15 and 16, and the c-channel end supports 17 and 18. The plank 50 further resides between the protective flanges 21 and 22, which shield the edges of the plank 50. The plank 50 is secured onto the frame 11 using any suitable means such as the rivets shown in the Figures. The plank 50 provides a support surface for a person employing the scaffolding plank 10. In the preferred embodiment the plank 50 is wood, nevertheless, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the plank may be any suitable material such as plastic, fiberglass, and the like.

Each hook member 51-54 resides at a respective corner of the frame 11 to facilitate the securing of the scaffolding plank 10 to a platform. Each hook member 51-54 includes a mounting bracket 30 with an attachment hook 31 secured thereto using any suitable means such as welding. The mounting brackets 30 and attachment hooks 31 may be steel or any suitable metal alloy. The hook members 51-54 mount on a respective corner of the frame 11 using any suitable means such as a welding such that the mounting brackets 30 form corner pieces for the frame 11. In the preferred embodiment, the mounting brackets 30 are L-shaped, thereby allowing the mounting brackets 30 to be fitted onto the corners of the frame 11.

As described above, the c-channel center supports 15 and 16 are not placed at the midpoint of the frame 11. Instead, the c-channel center supports 15 and 16 are offset from the midpoint of the frame 11. In particular, the c-channel center support 15 is offset from the midpoint of the frame 11 toward a first end of the frame 11, and the c-channel center support 16 is offset from the midpoint of the frame 11 toward a second end of the frame 11. The placement of c-channel center supports 15 and 16 offset from the midpoint of the frame 11 allows one person to carry the scaffolding plank 10. When the scaffolding plank 10 is carried with one arm, the offset of the c-channel center supports 15 and 16 provides a balancing counterweight for the frame 11 that allows ease of transportation.

From the foregoing description and illustrations of the invention, it is apparent that rearranging the elements, or providing substitutions for the elements, can produce similar results; therefore, the applicant desires not to be bound by the description of this invention as contained in this specification but to be bound only by the claims appended hereto. Still the present invention has other objects, features, and advantages that the following will evidence to those familiar with the art. This scope defines the invention broadly, thus allowing for inclusion of any combination of related features, elements, or steps described herein as a part of its scope. 

1. A scaffolding plank, comprising: a frame, comprising: a first c-channel longitudinal support, a second c-channel longitudinal support, a third c-channel longitudinal support disposed between the first c-channel longitudinal support and the second c-channel longitudinal support, a first c-channel end support secured at first ends of the first, second, and third c-channel longitudinal supports, a second c-channel end support secured at second ends of the first, second, and third c-channel longitudinal supports, a first c-channel center support secured between the first and third c-channel longitudinal supports, and a second c-channel center support secured between the second and third c-channel longitudinal supports; a plank secured atop the frame; and hook members secured to the frame at a respective corner thereof.
 2. The scaffolding plank according to claim 1, wherein the frame further comprises: a first protective flange secured atop the first c-channel longitudinal support; and a second protective flange secured atop the second c-channel longitudinal support.
 3. The scaffolding plank according to claim 2, wherein the plank resides between the first and second protective flanges, and the first and second protective flanges shield the edges of the plank.
 4. The scaffolding plank according to claim 1, wherein the first and second c-channel center supports are offset from the midpoint of the frame.
 5. The scaffolding plank according to claim 4, wherein offsetting the first and second c-channel center supports from the midpoint of the frame provides a balancing counterweight for the frame.
 6. The scaffolding plank according to claim 4, wherein: the first c-channel center support is offset from the midpoint of the frame toward a first end of the frame; and the second c-channel center support is offset from the midpoint of the frame toward a second end of the frame.
 7. The scaffolding plank according to claim 1, wherein each hook member comprises a mounting bracket with an attachment hook secured thereto.
 8. The scaffolding plank according to claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third c-channel longitudinal supports are manufactured from steel.
 9. The scaffolding plank according to claim 1, wherein the first and second c-channel end supports are manufactured from steel.
 10. The scaffolding plank according to claim 1, wherein the first and second c-channel center supports are manufactured from steel.
 11. A scaffolding plank, comprising: a frame, comprising: a first longitudinal support, a second longitudinal support, a third longitudinal support disposed between the first longitudinal support and the second longitudinal support, a first end support secured at first ends of the first, second, and third longitudinal supports, a second end support secured at second ends of the first, second, and third longitudinal supports, a first center support secured between the first and third longitudinal supports, whereby the first center support is offset from the midpoint of the frame, and a second center support secured between the second and third longitudinal supports, whereby the second center support is offset from the midpoint of the frame; a plank secured atop the frame; and hook members secured to the frame at a respective corner thereof.
 12. The scaffolding plank according to claim 11, wherein offsetting the first and second center supports from the midpoint of the frame provides a balancing counterweight for the frame.
 13. The scaffolding plank according to claim 11, wherein: the first center support is offset from the midpoint of the frame toward a first end of the frame; and the second center support is offset from the midpoint of the frame toward a second end of the frame.
 14. The scaffolding plank according to claim 11, wherein the frame further comprises: a first protective flange secured atop the first longitudinal support; and a second protective flange secured atop the second longitudinal support.
 15. The scaffolding plank according to claim 11, wherein each hook member comprises a mounting bracket with an attachment hook secured thereto.
 16. A method of manufacturing a scaffolding plank, comprising: placing first, second, and third c-channel longitudinal supports comprised of steel side by side at substantially equidistant intervals; securing a first c-channel end support comprised of steel to first ends of the first, second, and third c-channel longitudinal supports; securing a second c-channel end support comprised of steel to second ends of the first, second, and third c-channel longitudinal supports; securing a first c-channel center support comprised of steel between the first and third c-channel longitudinal supports; securing a second c-channel center support comprised of steel between the second and third c-channel longitudinal supports; securing a plank atop the frame; and securing hook members to the frame at a respective corner thereof.
 17. The method of manufacturing a scaffolding plank according to claim 16, further comprising: securing a first protective flange atop the first c-channel longitudinal support; and securing a second protective flange atop the second c-channel longitudinal support.
 18. The method of manufacturing a scaffolding plank according to claim 16, wherein: the first c-channel center support is secured between the first and third c-channel longitudinal supports offset from the midpoint of the frame; and the second c-channel center support is secured between the second and third c-channel longitudinal supports offset from the midpoint of the frame.
 19. The method of manufacturing a scaffolding plank according to claim 16, wherein: the first c-channel center support is secured between the first and third c-channel longitudinal supports offset from the midpoint of the frame toward a first end of the frame; and the second c-channel center support is secured between the second and third c-channel longitudinal supports offset from the midpoint of the frame toward a second end of the frame.
 20. A method of manufacturing a scaffolding plank, comprising: placing first, second, and third longitudinal supports side by side at substantially equidistant intervals; securing a first end support to first ends of the first, second, and third longitudinal supports; securing a second end support to second ends of the first, second, and third longitudinal supports; securing a first center support between the first and third c-channel longitudinal supports offset from the midpoint of the frame; securing a second center support between the second and third c-channel longitudinal supports offset from the midpoint of the frame; securing a plank atop the frame; and securing hook members to the frame at a respective corner thereof.
 21. The method of manufacturing a scaffolding plank according to claim 20, further comprising: securing a first protective flange atop the first longitudinal support; and securing a second protective flange atop the second longitudinal support.
 22. The method of manufacturing a scaffolding plank according to claim 20, wherein: the first center support is secured between the first and third longitudinal supports offset from the midpoint of the frame toward a first end of the frame; and the second center support is secured between the second and third longitudinal supports offset from the midpoint of the frame toward a second end of the frame. 